Fort Smith AR vs San Diego CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 61.2% | 50.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $1,006,261 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 47.6% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 25.9 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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